The second annual competition attracted teams from Surrey, Northamptonshire, Manchester, Lancashire, Silver Coast (Portugal), Olhão, Tavira, Lagos and Vilamoura with all players being over 50- years-of-age and some well into their 70’s.
Before the tournament got underway, a tribute was paid to former Olhanense founder member Mike Wreford who tragically passed away in February.
The action included eighteen group stage games which produced plenty of skill as players were restricted to three touches and were penalised if the ball went over head height.
In the semi-finals S.O.S. ’A’ beat Silver Coast Strollers whilst Wigan Walkers overcame the S.O.S. ‘B’ team. In a tense final it was all square with the outcome being decided on penalties and it was reigning champions Soccer Olhanense Strollers ‘A’ who retained the trophy by the slenderest of margins.
In the penalty shootout it was the Olhão-based team who held their nerve to maintain an undefeated record in all tournaments.
In the Plate Competition it was Xcel ‘A’ (Walton, Surrey) who were victorious after defeating Tavira Old Footballers in the final .
Gary Thomas of Algarve Football Tours said: “We’ve had very positive feedback from the teams and we are looking to make the tournament even bigger and better next year”.
On Monday Damien Reilly welcomed players and partners to his Irish Bar in Tavira as they celebrated a successful tournament with an excellent brunch provided by the host. It was appropriate that the East Algarve Walking Footballers nominated Irishman Frank Aherne from Cork City as their man of the tournament.
For more information, please visit: www.walkingfootballalgarve.com or www.algarvefootballtours.com